What Are the Six Most Important Vaccines for Your Baby?

When a new baby arrives in a family, you tend to forget about many things as you are caught up in the excitement of its presence and its cute antics. However, it’s important to be aware of certain things like vaccines which are usually given about a month after the baby’s birth.

Here are the six most important vaccines to give your little one:

• Chickenpox Vaccine: Its best to immunize your little one aged between 12 months through to 12 years. They are advised to get two doses of this vaccine. Depending on the state you are in, it’s best to check the individual requirements.

• Rotavirus Vaccine: This is a severely contagious virus that can lead to diarrhea in young children and infants and if left untreated for too long can cause dehydration and even death in some cases. The vaccines come in two or three doses. The first dose is to be given before 15 weeks and the second is to be given by 8 months.

• Hepatitis A/BVaccine: This vaccine prevents an acute liver disease caused by hepatitis A/B virus its symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It is recommended by the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) that all children between their 1^st and 2^nd birthdays be given two shots, six months apart.

• Meningococcal Vaccine: this vaccine prevents a dangerous illness which causes the outer layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. Kids can acquire this by sharing utensils, kissing, and living in close contact or even by inhaling second-hand smoke from an infected person. The CDC recommends that children 11 to 18 years get one dose of the vaccine.

• Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV): This is a common virus that is passed via genital contact. This vaccine is recommended for girls aged 11 to 12 and it is also recommended for girls 13 to 26 years who did not get it whilst they were younger.

• Tdap Booster: These are combination boosters which protect adults from diphtheria, pertussis and whooping cough which are all dangerous infections affecting various parts of the body. Most states require that children, teens, and young adults have the booster shots to protect them from various diseases.